The author is a Forbes contributor. The opinions expressed are those of the writer.

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It’s hard to walk through a convenience store in many cities in China and not spot Oishi potato chips and snacks competing for your attention with the likes of Lay’s and Pringles. Oishi’s spelling looks a lot like the Japanese word for delicious, oishii.

Yet low-profile Carlos Chan, the guiding force in China behind brand owner Liwayway, hails from the Philippines. Oishi’s success in the mainland helped Chan debut at No. 25 on the new Forbes Philippines Rich List published this month with a projected wealth of $500 million.

Chan isn't the first member of a Forbes rich list from outside of the mainland to have his fortune tied at least in part to the country. Others include Tsai Eng-Meng, Taiwan’s richest man who leads snack maker , and Dhanin Chearavanont, who tops the Forbes Thailand Rich List. And of course, there is Li Ka-shing of Hong Kong, Asia’s richest man.

Chan’s success in China is linked to Shanghai. Oishi was named as a "Shanghai famous brand" here in 1996, and Chan received a “Magnolia Gold Award” for his significant contribution to the city in 1998. Oishi was declared a "China famous brand" in 2001, and Shanghai made Chan a honorary citizen in 2005. Chan also reportedly has ties to Fujian Province, from which his parents immigrated to the Philippines.

Liwayway has gone on over the years to build up a network of factories across China, helping its solid distribution. And promisingly for the company, it is also looking elsewhere in economically healthy Asia.